Safety Articles

Certainly to the layman, medium voltage (601V to 2,000V) and high voltage (greater than 2,001V) work seems extremely dangerous, and in some cases that’s true. However, implementation of safe work practices, and improvements in safety equipment have made this work relatively safe. Many utility contractors employ stringent work rules which already comply with (and exceed) OSHA regulations. The following are highlights of some of the more important OSHA regulations for line work found under the “Power Transmission and Distribution” subpart of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Before any work can begin, OSHA requires a thorough assessment of the area to determine what parts are energized, the condition of poles, hardware, and equipment. This survey shall include any affected peripherals such as fire alarm, phone, or cable TV lines.

Workers then approaching a work area must maintain minimum clear distances from energized parts with a phase-to phase potential of 2,100 volts or higher. This applies to any workers who are not completely isolated, and includes workers using “hot sticks” or other similar devices that are insulated. For instance, the minimum clear distance for energized parts from 2,100 volts to 15,000 volts is 2 ft. This distance increases slightly to 2 ft. 4 in. for voltages from 15,001 volts to 35,000 volts, and increases incrementally thereafter.

Workers will first usually put on their personal protective equipment. OSHA does require that all rubber equipment and live-line tools be visually inspected prior to use. In addition, rubber gloves in particular shall be “air-tested” prior to use.

Lines and equipment that are deenergized to be worked on can, in most cases, visually show that it’s disconnected from energized portions of the system. In cases where an item is not visibly open or visibly locked out, special care needs to be taken.

First, the line needs to be identified and declared deenergized by a designated worker. All switches that can supply power to the deenergized section shall be plainly tagged that men are working on the section. If switches can be locked out, or have their handles removed (or other similar action) this shall be done to assure the switches cannot be turned on. After all the above work is performed, the section shall be final tested to verify the section is deenergized. At that point protective grounds shall be installed, and then work may start. When attaching ground leads, start by attaching the lead to the ground point, then connect the other end with insulating tools or similar devices. Reversal of the above process is performed when reenergizing the section.

OSHA has a few general regulations for equipment use. For instance, a visual inspection and test of brakes and operating systems shall performed on all equipment at the start of the workshift. Hydraulic fluids used in Aerial lifts or similar equipment shall be of the insulating type- with fire-resistant characteristics of this fluid being exempted for this type of high voltage work. Arial lifts used near energized lines or equipment are required to be either grounded or barricaded. Equipment (such as cranes) without a voltage rating shall be kept clear of high voltage lines and equipment by 10 ft. (for 50,000 volts and less). Also OSHA prohibits line work under adverse weather conditions (especially high winds) except during emergencies.

There are many regulations OSHA has for line-stringing operations, however most of these regulations are covered by normal company work rules. OSHA does, however, require a briefing to be held before work starts which discusses the following topics:

• The type of equipment to be used.
• The grounding devices and procedures to be used.
• The crossover methods to be used.
• The clearance authorization(s) required.

When stringing operations are parallel to existing, energized lines, a competent determination needs to be made to ascertain if dangerous, induced voltage buildups can occur, especially during switching and ground fault conditions. If this is the case, the entire stringing operations require grounding until conductor installation is complete. The normal OSHA regulations also apply as to inspecting all equipment and line stringing accessories, etc. prior to use.

Working on live-line bare-hand work is a specialty in itself. OSHA requires any worker attempting this type of work to be thoroughly training prior to working on any energized circuits. Before working on live-line bare-hand work, the following items need to be determined:

• The voltage rating of the circuit on which work will be performed.
• The clearances to ground or other phases on which work will be performed.
• The voltage limitations of the aerial-lift equipment to be used.

All equipment used for this type of work shall be designed, tested and intended for live-line bare-hand work. One of the keys to this work is the insulating capacity of the aerial bucket arm. The ability of the aerial bucket to be completely isolated from any other voltage potential make this type of live-line bare-hand work possible. Before the start of the workday, when higher voltages are worked during the day, or any other factors develop that may change voltage conditions, the aerial bucket arm shall be physically tested. This test consists of placing the bucket arm in contact for three minutes with the voltage to be encountered during the work. Leakage tests shall be made during the three minutes. If more than 1 microampere/ kilovolt rating (between phases) is found, the bucket arm fails the test and shall not be used until repairs are made.

Once the aerial lift passes the test, work may then proceed only with personal supervision by a person trained and qualified in live-line bare-hand work. Again, this may be standard procedure to those familiar with live-line work, but OSHA does require the conductive aerial bucket liner to be bonded to the energized line being worked before the line is worked on. The worker is also similarly bonded to the liner with conductive shoes, or leg clips. This ensures the worker (isolated from ground or other phases) is at exactly the same voltage potential as the line, thereby making the live line safe to perform work on.

A careful assessment of the applicable regulations should be reviewed with your own safety procedures to assure compliance with OSHA regulations.

In reality, any type of business is concerned with the health and safety of their employees. It is very important to reduce the number of injuries and accidents that occurs in the job place. This is why there are very explicit guidelines outlined in the safety manuals. Every year, companies spend thousands of dollars to train their workers in work place safety, this investment safeguards their employees against being injured and also knowing what to do in the event of an emergency.

Depending on what type of work environment is involved, there are safety guidelines that are in place. There is a plan outlined for each piece of equipment used, right down to the safety belts workers wear. It is important that each worker knows how to protect themselves and others on the job. If not, it can make for a hazardous work environment and cause needless mistakes that can result in fatalities.

If you work in construction, your biggest safety concern would be injury due to falling or tripping. In 2003 alone there were 1107 injuries related to falling and 1073 major injuries due to tripping. These injuries could have been avoided, had the workers been properly trained in health and safety.

When you are working in a construction environment, there are bound to be several different types of contractors on the job site. The site will more than likely be littered with cords, scaffold and equipment. It is up to you to make sure you are aware of everything going on around you and that your fellow workers are utilizing safety protocols. You are responsible for you and others as well, because you are part of a team and safety should be the highest priority for everyone involved.

It is also important that you have a system in place to ensure good work place order. This includes making sure that the workplace is kept tidy. Your worker traffic should be kept separated from pedestrians, this protects them as well as you. Walkways and steps should be kept cleared of anything that may trip someone, this is very important in the event of an emergency situation. Together with your fellow employees, a few simple steps can save lives and keep the workplace safe.

Anyone who has worked in construction, knows how dangerous the environment can be. This is why it is so important to follow the OSHA (Occupational Safety Hazard Association), guidelines. By adherence to the OSHA standards, you protect yourself and others against needless injuries. These guidelines are enacted to ensure that every worker is conscientious and aware of the importance of safety.

Each year thousands of workers are injured and sadly, some are even killed. This is why it is so important for you to comply with safety guidelines and protocols. If you are working on a scaffold, make sure that it is checked before and after each shift, make certain that safety belts are in working order and not damaged, discard trash and debris, put safety netting under roofs to catch someone in the event of a fall, and wear your safety equipment and goggles. These again are just a few of the many things you can do to protect yourself and others.

By utilizing the guidelines in the OSHA manual, you may not prevent injuries, but you can considerably lessen the likelihood. You should always do whatever possible to practice safety protocols in the workplace. If you regularly incorporate it into your daily work routine it will become second nature. By doing this, the life you save may be your own.

A common misconception about people who own a small business or work as independent contractors, there is no need to have a safety program. Many of them operate under this assumption because they have very few employees. Every year, OSHA releases its list of top citations and cost per inspection. By looking at the list from 2007, you can see just how important safety programs can be to a small business. It is not only important, it is the law.

1. Hazard Communication: This is a very important topic, detrimental to the health and welfare of your workers. By law, you must have a complete list of all hazardous materials used on your job site. This is called a Material Safety Data Sheet, or MSDS for short. This list must be posted in a location where it is accessible to all employees. Employees must also be safety trained on how to use personal protection equipment. Violations of this nature are just one of the many reasons why companies are fined.
2. Training: Your employees must be properly trained, but sadly this is not the case for many companies. Employees need to know how to do their job properly; tool safety, operating equipment, and how to use personal protective gear, along with many other things, are all important job requirements. When you hire an employee, by ensuring they are properly trained it saves you time and money.
3. Training Requirements: In any industry, properly trained employees are essential to the health and welfare of your employees, as well as to how effectively a business operates. Have a regular schedule for safety training meetings, and train each employee according to their job function. Each employee should receive training in fall prevention, handling hazardous materials, proper equipment required, using respirators, and having a Material Safety Data Sheet on each job site. OSHA has outlined the guidelines that dictate safety training in their manuals.
4. Head Protection: Protecting your head is important and you should always wear a hard hat on the job site. There could be any number of materials flying through the air at any time, or you could simply walk into something and injure yourself. Workers not observing the hard hat rules will be fined and cited for a violation, this will cost your company money.
5. Wiring Design and Protection: OSHA guidelines dictate that an employer must have either a ground fault interrupter (GFI) or assured equipment grounding conductor program. Ground fault electrical shock is a very real and common hazard on construction sites. Unsafe or improperly installed electrical equipment being used, improperly trained workers, or environmental conditions causing an unsafe work environment all factor into causing electrical accidents.
6. Ladders: You should never use a ladder that is damaged, rickety, missing rungs or unstable in any way. However, many workers in reality do not think about this on the job site. By law, you are not allowed to do any “work”, from a ladder. You are only allowed to use a ladder to get from the ground to a higher height and back down again. You need to be trained and observe the rules, to protect yourself.
7. Aerial Lifts: In the job place, you may be tempted to take shortcuts to save time. This is never a good idea when you think about all the consequences that can likely occur when you disregard personal safety. Only people who are trained and qualified should be doing hoisting and lifting responsibilities. You are required to work wearing hoisting gear that involves ropes, hooks, hook balls and blocks, netting, slings, cradles, shackles and various other items. Before you attempt to begin any lifting operations, you must hold a safety meeting and make sure each worker understands and has reviewed the “Lift Plan”. This would be a detailed plan outlining the entire process, as well as providing a visual guide for what can be expected to happen.
8. Fall Protection: The issue of fall protection is something that OSHA (as well as responsible employers) takes very seriously. Fines and citations may spring from a variety of issues. Working with heights can be a very dangerous and scary proposition. Failing to properly install or construct safety equipment, improperly trained employees and unsafe work practices, all combine for some of the main reasons a business can be penalized.
9. Specific Excavation Requirements: Things like excavation requirements can change daily on a job site and you need to keep all of your employees abreast of the safety rules and regulations. Not having proper work permits, not meeting access or exit contingencies, and not performing daily safety inspections are just a few reasons why a business is fined.
10. General Requirements: The world of construction changes on a frequent basis and this fact alone poses many issues regarding employee safety. If your project is running on time, you will find workers of all trades, working in close proximity to one another. There are on-the-job hazards from which accidents can happen, such as hand and power tools, and heavy equipment operation. There are also risks involving; falling, being electrocuted, air contamination issues, or not having a proper fire evacuation plan. All of these situations posed are extremely dangerous and may even cause worker fatality, if proper safety guidelines are not in practice.

The extra time and attention that a safety program entails can be lifesaving. It creates a safe environment for your workers and minimizes company liability at the same time. This is why it is so important to have a written safety program in place, whether you have one or one hundred employees. By practicing work place safety you can avoid accidents and OSHA fines.

Job-related injuries occur every day in the workplace. Often these injuries occur because employees are not trained in the proper job procedure. Frequently, work proceeds immediately after the materials and tolls are laid out. However, one step is required by OSHA before any work is performed, and that is a hazard analysis.

One of the best ways to prevent workplace injuries is to perform a jobsite hazard analysis to determine safe work methods and personal protective equipment required.

Establishing proper job procedures is one of the benefits of conducting a job hazard analysis- that is, carefully studying and recording each step of a job, identifying existing or potential safety and health hazards, and determining the best way to perform the job to reduce or eliminate these hazards.

Improved job methods from a hazard analysis can reduce costs resulting from employee absenteeism and workers compensation, and can often lead to increased productivity.

A jobsite hazard analysis is not a “file and forget” type of document. OSHA requires “regular and frequent” jobsite inspections to be performed by “competent persons.” While regular and frequent is not defined in the regulations, it is generally understood to mean when the character of work, location of work, or personnel changes occur. Those times would be a proper time for another jobsite check.

The jobsite inspections are not required to be in writing; however, it is highly recommended to better pursue and correct deficiencies, and to keep a paper trail to demonstrate jobsite inspections are part of your company’s overall safety program. Hazard analysis forms help guide you through a typical jobsite with additions to the form made for your particular situation.

A hazard analysis performed on the jobsite should be the first step before work is started. The general items to look for are developed from the “focused” inspection procedures developed by OSHA.

These items are:

• Falling: This may be tripping or slipping on the same level, or falling to a lower level. Naturally, guardrails at openings are to be looked for, but items such as poor housekeeping, and defective ladders should also be considered.

• Struck by or against: Equipment and material movement patterns should be looked at to determine if workers may be struck by such items.

• Caught in or between: This includes confined spaces, or any tight or moving spaces that can trap all or part of a worker. Proper tool and equipment guarding should be considered.

• Contact with: This may be temperature extremes, hazardous materials or chemicals, and electrical current. Avoidance or personal protective equipment is usually required.

• Inhalation, Ingestion: Look for toxic vapors or fumes, and poisonous substances. Proper sanitation by washing up before eating can help prevent ingestion of hazardous chemicals.

Excavation Safety - OSHA Requirements – Read Part 1

Shoring

Shoring, unlike shielding, is a system that applies pressure against the excavation’s walls to prevent collapse, rather than protection from collapse. Shoring applies pressure to members placed against the excavation’s walls by use of hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical means creating a constant outward force. As with shields or trench boxes, shoring is set in place after excavation and before any work is performed. Shoring is then removed after work in the excavation has occurred. Access to the shored excavation needs to be within the protection of the shoring as well.

Once work starts on an excavation, a competent person needs to inspect any work performed at least daily before the work starts and throughout the day as needed. Also, when the condition of an excavation is subject to changes (such as a rainstorm), an excavation is required to be reinspected before work resumes or continues. OSHA frequently cites contractors for failure to perform these inspections, and to have a competent person onsite. Other common OSHA citations to be aware of are; not having egress points (ladders, ramps, or other means) a maximum of fifty (50 ft.) apart to allow quick exits for workers; not keeping spoils, tools, equipment, and materials at least two feet (2 ft.) from the excavation’s edge; and not having any excavation work twenty feet (20ft.) or greater in depth designed by a registered professional engineer.

While OSHA requires personnel protection in excavations more than five feet (5 ft.) in depth, OSHA regulations may also require (in certain circumstances) the same protection methods for excavations of lesser depths. OSHA regulation 1926.652(a)(I)(ii) exempts use of personnel protection in excavations less than five feet (5 ft.) in depth when “…examination of the ground by a competent person provides no indication of cave-in.”

For example, if work is being performed in a four foot (4 ft.) deep trench with vertical walls and with non-cohesive soils or where cracking, weakening, or crumbling soil conditions exist (as with type B or C soils), then a potential hazard exists for workers within the trench, especially those who may be bent over or on their knees working. This situation, therefore, would require use of personnel protection at an excavation depth of less than five feet.

Although this may seem an obscure, or rare occurrence, I found in conversation with OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHO’s), that citations have been issued for no personnel protection in excavations less than five feet. CSHO’s however, would likely address each situation on a case-by case basis. Therefore, all excavations regardless of depth need to be assessed by the competent person before a decision is made whether or not to provide personnel protection.

Attention to forming a work plan before excavating will benefit workers and contractors alike by creating a safe work environment free from potential hazards and liability for the worker, and the contractor alike.

Excavation safety, while being a concern of the contractor, is also of great concern to OSHA. In fact, Subpart P- Excavations of the OSHA construction regulations (Part 1926) is one of the largest sections in the Code of Federal Regulations (the OSHA regulations “codebook”). A careful review of this entire subpart is necessary before any excavation work is performed.

Cave-ins are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities to workers in excavations. Therefore this article will primarily focus on OSHA’s regulations for the protection of workers from this potential hazard.

OSHA outlines the importance of having any affected underground utilities or installations located before any excavation work can start. While this is an OSHA regulation, locating underground utilities is frequently covered by local regulations and practices. OSHA will allow excavation work to start and continue without locating being performed by the utilities - if the utilities did not respond in a timely fashion. In this event, the contractor should proceed cautiously, and with his own locating equipment, probes, or other means to prevent damage to any utilities in question. Any underground utilities uncovered are required to be protected, supported, removed, or otherwise safeguarded from workers.

When excavations are performed in stable rock, personnel protection (from cave-ins) is exempted by OSHA. However, when excavations in all other materials (soil, sand, etc.) exceed five feet (5 ft.) in depth, you are required by OSHA to have at least one of three methods of personnel protection. These three methods are: sloping (or stepping) the excavation walls, shielding the excavation walls (trench boxes), and shoring the excavation walls.

The method(s) you choose may depend on size, type and location of the excavation; soil types; equipment availability; and of course, the economics of a particular project.

Sloping or stepping excavation walls:

The degree of slope depends on the stability of the soil or material being excavated. OSHA has devised a soil rating where Type “A” soil has the highest stability, Type “B” soil (including unstable rock and granular fills) has the next highest stability, and Type “C” soil (including sand, gravel, and submerged soils) has the lowest stability. A competent person, designated by the employer, or a soils engineer must determine which type of soil or material that is being excavated before determining the correct angle of slope for an excavation. The correct angle of slope is fifty three degrees (530) for type “A”, forty five degrees (450) for type “B”, and thirty four degrees (340) for type “C”. Stable rock may be excavated with a vertical (900) wall. According to OSHA, the values given here may be increased or reduced if a registered professional engineer is used to design an alternative excavation plan. In this case, OSHA would typically accept the engineer’s decision for what slopes, if any, to use.

Shields, or trench boxes:

Shields or trench boxes are designed to protect the worker(s), not the excavation from collapse. This is because the trench box is freestanding, and it’s sides typically do not bear against the excavation’s walls. Rather these shields are placed on the floor of an excavation where work is being performed, and moved or relocated as work progresses. In the event of a collapse, workers inside the shield or trench box would be protected. Workers need to access the shielded area within the excavation (by ladder or other safe means) in lieu of walking into the unprotected area to enter or exit the excavation.

This is part one of a two part series on Excavation Safety.

Material Handling Equipment (1926.602)

The types of equipment referred to in this section are as follows:

• Earthmoving equipment - scrapers, loaders, crawler or wheel tractors, bulldozers, off-highway trucks, graders, agricultural and industrial tractors, and similar equipment.

Note:  Specific rules for compactors and rubber-tired “skid-steer” equipment are reserved due to standards currently being developed.

Seat belts - are a requirement for all equipment that is covered in this section.  However, seat belts are not required for equipment which is designed - only for standup operation, and/or equipment that is not equipped with a roll-over protective structure or canopy protection. The reason behind the latter of these two exceptions is; if an operator was wearing a seatbelt with no roll-over or canopy protection, he/she could become trapped or crushed in the event of a roll-over, rather than being afforded the freedom of mobility (not bound by a seatbelt) to immediately vacate (leap or jump from) the equipment prior to or during a roll-over.

Access roadways and grades may not be used for movement of construction equipment or vehicles unless the roadway or grade is constructed and maintained to accommodate the equipment or vehicles safely.

All earthmoving equipment must have an operable service braking system that is capable of stopping and holding the equipment while fully loaded.

Bi-directional equipment such as rollers, compactors, front-end loaders, bulldozers, and other similar equipment must be equipped with an operable audible alarm (horn), audible above the ambient noise level.

No earthmoving or compacting equipment which has an obstructed view to the rear may be used unless the equipment is equipped with a reverse signal alarm or an employee signals that it is safe to move.

Lifting and hauling equipment such as lift trucks, stackers, etc., must have the rated capacity posted on the equipment/vehicle clearly and in plain view of the operator.  When auxiliary removable counterweights as provided by the manufacturer are used, those corresponding rated capacities shall also be posted/shown.  Ratings must not be exceeded.  Also, any modifications or additions to equipment that may affect the capacity ratings or safe operation of the equipment will require the manufacturer’s written approval.  When changes or additions are made, the equipment’s operating and maintenance instructions, plates, tags, decals, load ratings, etc. shall be changed/revised to reflect those modifications.

Equipment may not be equipped with a steering or spinner knob unless the steering mechanism is of a type that prevents road reactions from causing the steering wheel to rebound or spin.

Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to ride on powered industrial trucks.  When riding of trucks is authorized, then a safe place to ride must be provided.

The information as outlined in this article focuses primarily on the requirements for “vehicles” and “equipment” in the workplace or on the jobsite.  Please refer to these sections of the CFR (including Subpart-W Rollover Protective Structures: Overhead Protection) for a more in-depth review of these regulations.

This is part two of a two-part series on Equipment & Vehicles - General Requirements
Part One: Equipment & Vehicles - General Requirements Part 1

Many OSHA regulations address workplace or jobsite hazards quite specifically when it comes to the employee or worker, however there are a few basic but equally important OSHA regulations in-place that focus on your motor vehicles and mechanized equipment used in the workplace or on your jobsites. Local state or federal DOT (Department of Transportation) regulations may prevail or may be as stringent in many cases regarding your equipment, yet, the intent of this article is to inform you of these general OSHA requirements as found in the CFR Subpart O - 1926.600, 1926.601, & 1926.602. Some sections of this subpart may not be addressed in this article.

Equipment (1926.600)

Equipment that is parked or left unattended at night in an area that is adjacent to a highway in normal use, or a construction site where there will be work in progress, must be equipped as follows to identify the location of the equipment and to maintain overall safety:

• Appropriate lights or reflectors (or barricades equipped with appropriate lights/ reflectors).
• Parking brake must be set and wheels must be chocked (when parked on an incline).

When leaving your equipment overnight, not in use, or during repairs, such as a bulldozer, scraper blade, end-loader, dump bodies or other similar equipment, they shall be fully lowered or blocked, all controls set in equipment, they shall be fully lowered or blocked, all controls set in a neutral position, brakes set and motor stopped (unless the work being performed requires otherwise).

Any machinery, equipment, or parts that are held aloft or suspended by use of jacks, slings, or hoists, must be carefully blocked or cribbed to prevent the load from falling or shifting before employees or personnel are permitted to pass or work under or between the load.

Equipment cab glass must be “safety glass” type or equivalent, and must be free of any visible distortion or obstructions that may affect the safe operation.

If any work onsite or in the workplace will involve inflating, mounting, or dismounting of equipment tires installed on split rims, or rims with locking rings or similar devices; a safety tire rack, cage, or equivalent protective device must then be provided and used for personnel safety.

Motor Vehicles (1926.601)

The type of vehicles referred to in this section are those that operate within an off-highway jobsite, which is not open to public traffic.

All vehicles must be equipped with the following, and shall be maintained in operable condition:

• A service brake system
• An emergency brake system
• A parking brake system
• Two headlights (when visibility conditions require additional light)
• Two brake lights (regardless of light conditions)
• An adequate audible warning device (horn) at the operator’s station

In addition to the above listed items, all vehicles with cabs must be equipped with the following:

• Windshields and powered wipers (cracked or broken glass must be replaced)
• Operable defogging or defrosting devices (only in areas or conditions that require such)
• A cab shield or canopy to protect the operator when haulage vehicles are loaded by means of cranes, shovels, loaders, or similar equipment
• Seats firmly secured and adequate for all employees that are to be carried
• Seat belts (meeting the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Standards)

Fenders must be equipped on all rubber-tired motor vehicle/equipment manufactured on or after 5/1/72. Mud flaps may be used in lieu of fenders where the vehicle is not designed for such.

In a case where the motor vehicle/equipment has an obstructed view to the rear, a reverse signal alarm audible above the ambient noise level must be used or an observer used to signal the operator when it is safe to back up.

Trucks that are equipped with dump bodies shall have a means of support, permanently attached, that is capable of being locked in a position to prevent the accidental lowering of the body while maintenance or inspection work is performed. Also, operating levers which control hoisting or dumping devices must be equipped with a latch or other device which will prevent the accidental starting or tripping of the device.

Tailgates of dump trucks equipped with trip handles must have the device positioned so that while dumping, the operator is in the clear.

All vehicles that are in use must be checked at the beginning of each shift to assure that the items outlined above are in safe operating condition and free of any damage that may cause failure. If any defects are found, they must be corrected before the vehicle is put back in service.

This is part one of a two-part series on Equipment & Vehicles - General Requirements
Part Two: Equipment & Vehicles - General Requirements Part 2

Many contractors perform some type of concrete work from equipment slabs to structural concrete systems. Most OSHA regulations that may apply to concrete work are found in other Subparts of the Code of Federal Regulations (such as Personal Protective Equipment).

However, there are some general safety methods common to all concrete work which OSHA specifies in Subpart Q- Concrete. In this article, the basic tool requirements for concrete work, and limited access zones for masonry work will be outlined:

Tools and Equipment

The following are highlights of the more common requirements for concrete tools and equipment.

• Before using bull floats, because of their long handles, a careful review of the area being worked should be done to determine if any electrical equipment or wires are close. If so, the bull float handle is required to be insulated, be of non-conductive material, or shortened to a safe working length.
• Masonry saws are required to have a semicircular guard which can retain blade fragments in the event of blade breakage. This guarding requirement is for all tools.
• Tremies, or other concrete conveyances are required to be secured with wire rope (or equivalent) in addition to the regular couplings and connectors.
• When repairs or maintenance work is performed on concrete pumps, mixers, compressors, etc. The equipment is required to have the power source locked out with a “Do Not Start,” or similar tag at the lock.
• Workers are not allowed to ride the concrete bucket, or backhoe bucket.
• When concrete buckets are used, no workers shall be allowed to work directly under the bucket while the bucket is being raised, or lowered into position.
  Also, concrete buckets shall be routed so that the fewest (preferably no) workers are located under it’s path.
• When placing or tying vertical reinforcing, any work performed while on the steel, and above 6 ft. Shall have the workers using positioning devices for fall protection. A positioning device would be a safety belt (or harness) with a lanyard that would not allow a fall greater than 2 ft. While safety belts are being phased out for fall protection use elsewhere, belts are still allowed for positioning devices since the forces arising from a 2ft. fall are not that great. Using a positioning device, the worker climbs along the reinforcing steel into position, then snaps a lanyard in place on each side of the belt before working.
• Reinforcing steel, when ends are exposed at a location which could cause injury if a worker would fall onto or into the ends shall be protected. Plastic end caps are commercially available for this purpose, however, in some areas protecting the worker with a board laid flat over the rebar ends is preferred.
• Reinforcing steel for walls, columns, and other similar vertical structures shall be braced to prevent overturning or collapse.
• Roll reinforcing mesh shall be turned over (curl down), or have it’s end secured to prevent mesh from recoiling.
• Concrete formwork shall be designed, fabricated, erected, supported, braced, and maintained so that it will be capable of supporting any loads (vertically and horizontally) that may reasonably be placed upon it.
• Concrete formwork shall not be removed unless in accordance with plans/specification conditions, or when none are present, then by using test cylinder results to verify adequate concrete strength.

Violations found for concrete work are not near as frequent as for other work. Protecting rebar ends is the most common violation found by OSHA, with lack of blade guards on concrete cutting equipment being another frequent violation found.

Another common general requirement under concrete work applies to building masonry walls. Whether your firm builds masonry walls, or you have them built on your jobsites, you should understand the special requirements for a “Limited Access Zone.”

Masonry Construction

The following are highlights of the requirements for masonry work.

• Limited Access Zone: Before work is started on a masonry wall, a limited access zone is required to be established. The zone shall run the length of the wall and shall extend out from the base of the proposed wall the height of the wall plus 4 ft. (see diagram). Therefore, a proposed wall 50 ft. long by 20 ft. high would have a limited access zone 50 ft. long by 24 ft. wide.
• This access zone shall be located on the side of the wall that is not scaffolded.
• This access zone shall only be occupied by workers who are actively engaged in constructing the masonry wall. No other work may be performed while the wall is being built within the zone limits.
• When the masonry wall passes 8 ft. in height, bracing shall be installed to prevent overturning or collapse, unless there exists a means of supporting the wall without bracing (such as an adjoining wall). Bracing installed shall remain in place until other permanent supporting elements such as adjoining walls or roof structures are in place.
• When the masonry wall is properly braced, the limited access zone may be withdrawn.

Training

While there are no specific references to training in this Subpart section, safety training and discussion with your workers in the above regulations would be necessary before working on concrete or masonry construction.

OSHA recently issued a Hazard Information Bulletin to its compliance officers (inspectors) to be “on the lookout for unsafe use of LP-gas containers.” OSHA distributes Hazard Information Bulletins to all area offices and state plan offices, in addition to labor and industry associations.

The bulletin is notifying readers that propane tanks commonly found on construction sites may have regulators that extend outside the protective collars designed to prevent damage to valves. Extending regulators beyond the protective collar causes the regulator and attached equipment to be vulnerable if the tank falls, is dropped, are struck by a heavy object.

OSHA reported a case where a worker entered a confined space to clear ice from a manhole using a blowtorch with a regulator that was attached outside the collar of a 20-pound propane cylinder. The cylinder fell, the exposed regulator broke off, and gas and liquid propane released into the manhole. The propane caught fire inside the space and the worker burned to death.

The bulletin is likely to cause compliance officers to specifically look for this hazard during an OSHA inspection.

According to OSHA, workers using gas cylinders with unguarded regulators “appears” to be a common practice found on construction sites. OSHA standard 1926.153 addresses the use of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas containers. It requires you to protect normal 20-pound LP-gas containers from damage while in use or in storage. OSHA also reminds readers that LP-gas cylinders are covered by the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) “Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases,” 58-1995, section 2-2.4.1.

OSHA warns construction workers and employees of the hazards associated with unguarded regulators on propane cylinders, and that the standards require employees to receive training on how to do their jobs safely. The NFPA which sets voluntary safety standards also has recommendations covering protection for valves and connections such as regulators.

In short, make sure that your cylinders do not have attached regulators extending outside the confines of the protective collar, and that all critical parts of the equipment are protected from danger/damage. Supervisors should be familiar with the OSHA standard, safe use of the equipment, and most importantly - assure that all workers using/handling cylinders are properly trained.